The Invention of Permanent Poverty (Choice in Welfare)

Crime is caused by poverty and unemployment! If poverty increases, then so too does crime. Such is the conclusion of the 'no-fault' theory of crime that holds sway among the social-affairs experts. In this book, Dennis argues with the central assumptions of this theory, focusing his criticism on the poverty lobby which claims "the poor are getting poorer and thus, so is crime". Dennis disagrees, instead arguing that rising crime is caused by decline in the family structure. The underlying theme here is that money will not help a problem which is essentially a moral and cultural one.